Neoregelia concentrica var. plutonis, with water collection around buds at center of plant typical of the Bromeliaceae family, Botanic Garden, Berlin: photo by Hanson59, 2004

.....In the spring rain,A beautiful maiden.....Gives a great yawn.

Neoregelia (Tricolor), United States Botanic Garden: the collection of water typical to the Bromeliaceae family as well as buds within the water can be seen at the plant's center: photo by Appellative, 14 June 2007

.....Spring rain;The still remaining, uneaten ducks.....Are quacking.

A mother goose (Branta canadensis) shading her young from the spring rain (goslings don't yet have waterproof feathers): photo by Lucy, May 2007

13 comments:

It's hard to know where to start, except to say that you never want this to end. That being said, I guess I'll rest my mind on "The still remaining, uneaten ducks.....Are quacking."

Today we're leaving the warm perfect southern California weather and heading back to what sounds like a miserable (in terms of weather) beginning of spring. Jane's school has a remarkable assembly of large flowering cherry trees. I hope we'll get to see them blossom this year, but obviously it's just another reminder of Japan.

Very nice, "especially prized" as EP once upon a time said -- "A time of congratulations , -- / But my spring/ Is about average"; "A spring day closes,/ Lingering/ Where there is water" (more water on the way here, perhaps) . . . .

(I think those first few haikus were written in the year after Issa turned sixty... Ay, little did he know the ultra-averagenesses Time would have held in store for him had he turned the crooked corner into that next decade...)

Curtis, yes, to provide "another reminder of Japan" was no small part of the purpose here... what can one do?

A very large purring cat on my lap, cutting off the blood flow to the necrosis, happily prevents me from speaking at length re. my observation so far that 70 is the new 90.

In a do-or-die gambit, on the first day it stopped raining (2 days ago) I resolved to get off my back and, four months after losing the battle to the tire-piercing spikes, once again brave the streets of life. Hobbling ruefully back later, I glanced up, saw the moon, and thought of -- no, not Issa -- but Ed Baker.

How wonderful to have seen the Spring at your place for the summer heat in here is already proving to be more than just trouble. Like Sandra says we still have paradise! Such a reprieve! And so from the alcoves of my own memories begin to seep scenes of beauty and content.